10 possible VPs for Romney

CBS

(CBS News) We appear to be getting very close to the day when Mitt Romney will announce who he has selected as his running mate. While we don't know the exact timing of the selection, it will take place before the Republican National Convention at the end of the month - and could come as soon as this week.

The conventional wisdom is that Romney's choice will be bland - most likely Ohio Sen. Rob Portman or former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The thinking is that Romney, who is not a flashy nominee, wants to select someone who (1) doesn't overshadow him and (2) is ready to step into the presidency. John McCain's surprise selection of Sarah Palin, now widely considered ill-advised, is still fresh in Republicans' minds, which suggests Romney is more likely to opt for a "safe" choice than he might otherwise.

But vice presidential picks - as we were reminded four years ago - have surprised us before. We've put together a list of the ten people who appear most likely to get tapped, and it includes some names that might surprise you - among them the former Bush administration official who was the subject of a flurry of speculation last month. Click through to find out who made the cut - and learn a few facts you probably didn't know about them.

LIST: Romney's potential running mates

Special section: Romney's vice presidential choice

[yogiman70]

Why are those who are known to by Constitutionally ineligible for the office shown? Really, is there more than 6 eligible in those pictures?

[TimeToEvolve]

This is an ugly, ugly time for America and for the world with these radical wackos on the right taking over. Of course they have the giant corporations and Top 1% behind them, those who don't care about life on earth, only profits.

[fiberglass3]

The republican'ts want a uniform government. They are itching - hungering - to dismantle the entire fabric of federal social programs like Medicare, Social Security, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, minimum wage, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the graduated income tax and consumer protections like the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Food and Drug Administration.

These savings can then be passed along to the 1% in the form of tax cuts.

[cntrygirl3]

If this is the crowd it is Portman hands down. Anybody else has the potential to be a bloody disaster. Portman is so likable something Romney lacks in spades. His drawbacks of working for W are minor. Pawlenty would be the other but he is not nearly as likable plus he is a total wuss and would be practically useless to the campaign. But then given Romney's track record so far he will probably pick the woman senator, pretty obviously a Sarah Palin clone with equally disastrous results. This stems from the fact that Romney wants to be president purely for the sake of being president he has no passion, like Bush 1 he is checking a box.

[hypnotoad72]

Pawlenty absolves himself of the debt he created:

http://politicalcorrection.org/factcheck/201104270005

Oh, he's admitted he wouldn't be the best VP choice:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7412742n&tag=exclsv

And this one's a hoot:


http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/12/01/924578/-Pawlenty-pardoned-serial-child-molester-so-wife-could-open-up-day-care-center

As for Bobby "Brady", let him watch sitcoms all day.

[venusvegasvada]

FREE GWB!


Why is the GOP keeping it's "Big Gun" locked up in the chicken coop behind the barn?

I want to see George W Bush released from GOP prison and start campaigning for Romney.

I think it would be very beneficial to hear GWB remind us all of how great Bush's trickle down economic plan, er...Romney's trickle down economic plan...err, the same plan, worked before...err..will work again.

Bill Clinton is coming out to the Dems' party. No Fear Bill and no shame for the Dems. They are proud of Bill and can't wait to let him off the chain.

Anyone at the GOP want to comment on that?

Where's the GOP love and respect for their main man, GWB?

So I say again!

FREE GWB!

[Toooldtofail]

Sarah? Where's Sarah on this list. She was good enough for the GOP last time. She hasn't changed. Maybe she could distract people from Mitt's missing tax returns. She served that role for McCain four years ago. I miss Sarah. And W. And he's going to miss the convention? Better things to do down on the ranch, I guess.

[fredm6900]

What about Chris Christie, what a wonderful example for the fat people of America on how to lose wait.

[venusvegasvada]

Pawlenty? Don't think so. The anachronism of Romney And Pawlenty Esquire should say it all.

Portman? See Pawlenty.

Rubio? Please. Not a snowballs chance in hell. Romney sucks with Latino's and this is the GOP's way of bringing some in. VP? not happening. The GOP just want the votes, they don't actually want Latino's making any decisions.

Ryan. What a joke. My trash compactor has higher moral standards and can do math better. Besides, the guy's a punk.

Christie. Yeah. Right. If Romney decided to do a remake of Smoky and the Bandit 2, Christie would be Dom Deluise. Not Jerry Reed.

Jindal. Something weird about the guy. Not sure what it is yet, but there is something creepy about him.

Rice. Finally, a contender. A contender for President as she is waaay too smart to be just the VP under Mitt duh Romney. Too bad she wasn't running for President.

Ayotte. Never heard of her. She's rich though, which means she's in the club.

McDonnell. Won't happen. He's a better candidate than Romney is. The only reason he's put up is because Romney wants VA, McDonnell would be a poison pill for Romney as everyone would want him for Pres. Can't have the help upsetting the party.

Jeeze, tough crowd. Got anybody else GOP? Someone bland, lackluster, follows Gingrich's and the Tea Parties lines.

[petesis]

The fact they are just now realizing Sarah Palin was a bad choice.... I think they owe us all an apology.